The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1887-04-16
FEMALE SUFFRAGE KANSAS.

FEMALE sUFFRAGEI KANSAS.
A fair correspondent of The WIG,
has recently asserted SO ably the right
of her sex to enjoy the ballos, that the
argument apparently being on her side,
we publish for her benefit and for those
who share her opinions, some facts
pertaining to the recent municipal cleo
tons in Kansas, which are especially
noticeable because women took part in
them. In the twentysix towns of that
State about $500 women registered,
large proportion of whom partici-
pated in the canvas which preceded
these elections. The two most important
voting centers we're Leavenworth and
Topeka. At the former place there
was local temperance issue to be set
tied. In her new born zeal as voter,
Mrs. Gouger-which by the way is
| ldilCl d suggestive llilliS iol a Sooti io
liticaI fghter-who led the temperance
voters, was unfortunate enough to make
some dispsraging remark about the
upper stratum" OF society, who were
principally anti-temperance and Demo-
cratic in sentiment. Thls-naturally
among women-precipitated social
war. High society naturally resented
the SANDER. and the belligerants on both
sides took up the "merry war" in lively
style Every visible petticoat was con-
scripted into the political service on one
side or the other. Cooks, nurses, cham
bermaids, washerwoman, seamstresses,
hurried to the fray. 1t was 4 perfect
cyclone of feminine excitement, against
which the most self-respecting repre-
sentative of social distinction was not
armour proof. Old silk dresses judi
ciously bestowed changed the direction
of many doubtful ballot and society
was stirred to its center. Mrs. Gcuger
was defeated. In Topeka, out of to-
tai registration of 5,494, the number of
females was 400. Out of this num-
Der 1900 voted. As general rule
they cast party ballot of which
the Republican side got the benefit.
In Wichita the labor question entered
INTO the municipal contest, and whose
candidate was elected by their votes.
From all the facts to be cleaned from
these elections, we must conclude, that
the advocates of female suffrage have
not very much fallcitate themselves
over The rougher elements of society
came to the front, and the classes who
ought to move and shape public opin-
ion, as the result of education and re-
finement kept in the background. 1t is
the general apprehension that this
would everywhere be the case were the
ballot extended to women, that doubt
less prevents so many advocating its ex
tension. The Kansas elections at least
present no new argument in favor of its
extension. Rather the contrary.
Now while these elections in Kansas
seem to strengthen the common asser-
ton against female suffrage, "that no
self-respecting woman wants the bal
lot" yet without entering into the po-
litical ethics of the question, it is non
sense to say that women do not exer-
else political influence. Every intelli-
gent man must concede that they WELD
an influence extending far beyond the
limits of social life. No better evidence
OF this fact is needed than that which |
the Washington careers c. such women
as Mrs. Gen. Logan, Mrs. Hendricks,
Mrs. Don Cameron, and numerous
other wives of prominent statesmen and
politicians furnish. Because the wo-
men least fitted for political usefulness
may have taken part in the Kansas
election, it does not follow that such |
classes only would become prominent
everywhere else. AS general propo-
sition it doubtless is true that all women
are not fitted for politics. No more
are all men. But after all women rule
the world, if they do not personally |
assume the reins of government, and if
education and habit have prejudiced
US in the past against female suffrage,
reason and fresh experience may
change old notions. If the ballot in
the hands of women would free this
land of the curse of Rum, as we be-
leve it would, then were it political
right very justly and beneficially be-
slowed.